BPC asks companies to remain fuel depots open on holidays
File PhotoDHAKA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - The marketing companies under the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) have been instructed to keep their depots open even on weekend and public holidays. To ensure fuel oil supply, the main establishments or depots of these companies have been instructed to remain open, a BPC press release said today. To maintain a smooth fuel oil supply across the country as per the public demand, import activities are continuing, with fuel oil shipments arriving regularly according to schedule. In addition to rail transport, fuel oil is also being delivered to different parts of the country through tankers to maintain uninterrupted supply. The companies under the BPC are: Eastern Refinery Limited, Padma Oil Company Limited, Meghna Petroleum Limited, Jamuna Oil Company Limited, Eastern Lubricants Blenders PLC, LP Gas Limited, Standard Asiatic Oil Company Limited and Petroleum Transmission Company PLC.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 13:09 UTC
President Shahbuddin calls Ziaur Rahman ‘proclaimer of independence’
President Mohammed Sahabuddin has referred to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman as the “proclaimer of independence” during his speech at the first session of the 13th parliament. The address took place amid protests and a walkout by Members of Parliament from the political alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami. In his opening remarks, the president used the title “proclaimer of independence” while paying tribute to the late Zia. The president said the previous Awami League government was “fascist” and that it had made Bangladesh a “champion in corruption”. He also noted that Bangladesh was “freed” from this corruption status due to “strict measures” taken by the later BNP government.
Source:bd News24
March 12, 2026 12:48 UTC
Middle East war displaces three million inside Iran: UN
GENEVA, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Up to 3.2 million people have been displaced inside Iran since the Middle East war erupted nearly two weeks ago, the United Nations refugee agency said Thursday. "Between 600,000 and one million Iranian households are now temporarily displaced inside Iran as a result of the ongoing conflict, according to preliminary assessments, representing up to 3.2 million people," said Ayaki Ito, who heads UNHCR's emergency support team and is refugee response coordinator for the Middle East emergency. "This figure is likely to continue rising as hostilities persist, marking a worrying escalation in humanitarian needs," he said in a statement.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 12:24 UTC
Turkish envoy calls on Humayun, reaffirms support for Bangladesh's UNGA candidature
Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ramis Sen, met with Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser, Humayun Kabir, today at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in Dhaka. The Turkish envoy met the adviser at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the city's Tejgaon area this afternoon, said Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony. The adviser and the Turkish envoy exchanged views on expanding collaboration in several key areas, including trade and investment, defence cooperation, education and cultural exchange, technology, and infrastructure development. They also discussed a number of regional and global issues, particularly challenges faced by the Muslim world, humanitarian cooperation, and the importance of strengthening mutual support on international platforms. Both sides expressed optimism about further consolidating the historic friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and Türkiye in the future.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 11:56 UTC
1st session of 13th Jatiya Sangsad begins
Photo : Bangladesh ParliamentSANGSAD BHABAN, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - The first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad began at 11.05 am today at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here with senior BNP lawmaker from Cumilla-2 constituency Khondoker Mosharraf Hossain in the chair. The day's proceedings began with recitation from the Holy Quran.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 11:49 UTC
US envoy observes inaugural session of parliament
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen attended the inaugural sitting of the country’s 13th National Parliament. Photo: US EmbassyDHAKA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen attended the inaugural sitting of the country’s 13th National Parliament, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to strengthening bilateral partnership for prosperity and security. Ambassador Christensen joined the opening session of the newly elected parliament, which marked the beginning of Bangladesh’s latest parliamentary term. The United States expressed its readiness to continue working closely with Bangladesh to advance shared priorities, including economic prosperity, stability and security for both nations, said the US embassy here. The presence of the US envoy at the inaugural session reflected the importance Washington attaches to its longstanding partnership with Bangladesh and its support for democratic institutions and parliamentary processes.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 11:37 UTC
IMF reaffirms commitment to new govt in meeting with BB chief
IMF reaffirms commitment to new govt in meeting with BB chiefDHAKA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) todayreaffirmed its steadfast commitment to Bangladesh, with ResidentRepresentative Maxym Kryshko pledging full cooperation during a meeting withGovernor of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Md Mostaqur Rahman. The courtesy call took place at the BB, where discussions were held in aprofessional and collaborative atmosphere, said a press release. Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr. Md. Kryshko also detailed the IMF's positive outlook regarding the country'sgovernance, stating that the organisation is eagerly looking forward toworking with the newly-formed political government. The meeting marks a significant step in strengthening the positive trajectoryof the partnership between the IMF and Bangladesh Bank as they work towardshared economic objectives.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 11:34 UTC
Superb fruit-formation predicts bumper 'Haribhanga' mango yield in Rangpur
Enthusiastic 'Haribhanga' mango farmers are now busy tending to their mangoorchards and are dreaming of a bumper harvest and better profits likeprevious years. "Haribhanga mango has already been recognized as a GI product of Rangpur,which has created a huge demand for it locally and internationally," he said. Apart from this, cultivation of 'Haribhanga' mango is expanding fast inParbatipur, Nababganj, Phulbari, Birampur and Chirirbandar upazilas ofDinajpur district. While visiting several Haribhanga mango orchards in different villages ofRangpur, this BSS reporter found mango farmers busy watering the roots of theHaribhanga mango trees and sprinkling water on the tender mangoes on thetrees. Successful farmers Mostafizur Rahman, Nur Hossain and Mohammad Morsalin ofPodaganj village Lutfar Rahman and Amjad Hossain of Tekani village underMithapukur upazila predicted a bumper Haribhanga mango yield this season.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 11:25 UTC
Two matches of BFL start tomorrow
DHAKA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - After a five-day recess, two matches of 11thround of Bangladesh Football League (BFF) will be held tomorrow (Friday) attwo separate venues across the country. On the day, defending champions Mohammedan will take on Bangladesh PoliceFootball Club at Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla while oldDhaka outfit Rahmatganj Muslim and Friends Society meet Fakirerpool YoungMen's Club at Birshreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium inMunshiganj. Both the matches kick off at 2.45 pm. In the remaining 11th round matches on the following day (Saturday), BrothersUnion will play against Abahani Limited Dhaka at Birshreshtha FlightLieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, PWD SC meet Arambagh Krira Sangha atShaheed Barkat Stadium in Gazipur and Fortis Football Club face BashundharaKings at Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 11:05 UTC
President urges parties to make joint efforts to build a secure Bangladesh
Photo: PIDSANGSAD BHABAN, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin today called upon all political parties to work with a common purpose to build a secure Bangladesh for future generations. If we work together in unison and with a common purpose, we shall be able to build a secure Bangladesh for future generations," he said. "If both the ruling and opposition parties work in consensus, the nation can rapidly achieve its desired goals. The Head of the State said a new democratic Bangladesh, free from subservience and oppression, has begun its journey through the blood and sacrifice of thousands of martyrs. The President said the country's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, national security, and the welfare of its people will take precedence above all.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 10:44 UTC
US takes first steps towards new global trade penalties
The Trump administration is launching separate probes centered on overproduction and importing goods made with forced labor, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters. He said Trump's trade policy remains the same as it has been "for decades," even if his tools may change. "We need to protect American jobs, and we need to make sure we have fair trade with our trading partners," he added. Both investigations unveiled Wednesday are handled by the USTR, falling under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Greer said it is too early to say how any new penalties from the latest probes will overlap with the sectoral duties.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 09:34 UTC
Capsicum cultivation brings new hope to farmers in Cumilla
Photo: BSSCUMILLA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - Muradnagar upazila of the district has embraced a new agricultural breakthrough with the introduction of high-value capsicum cultivation. Several local farmers have already ventured into capsicum cultivation with success. Muradnagar Upazila Agriculture Officer, Pavel Khan Pappu, expressed optimism about the future of capsicum cultivation in the area. The introduction of capsicum cultivation is expected to not only increase the income of Muradnagar's farmers but also open new avenues for agricultural growth in the region. With its promising market potential and the backing of agricultural support, capsicum cultivation is poised to become a cornerstone of Muradnagar's agricultural landscape.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 09:14 UTC
13th parliament goes into its maiden session
However, unlike in the past, the first session of the new parliament began with the Speaker’s chair vacant as the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker (of the previous 12th parliament) are currently unavailable. Then the sitting will resume with the newly elected Speaker or Deputy Speaker in the chair. During the first-day sitting of the session, the panel of chairmen for the first session will be announced. Usually the first session of a new parliament begins with the Speaker of the previous parliament in chair and then the election of the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker is held. This session is both the inaugural sitting of the 13th Parliament and the first parliamentary session of 2026.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 06:04 UTC
Helicopter rescue saves men, dog from Australian floodwaters
SYDNEY, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A helicopter pilot airlifted two men and a dog from the roof of a car engulfed in raging floodwaters in a dramatic rescue in northern Australia that was captured on video. A Heli-Muster R44 helicopter perched partly on the car roof as it picked up the two men and the pet dog, in white-knuckle scenes shared by the authorities on social media. "A passing-by helicopter pilot dropped a police officer on top of the vehicle to help the stranded driver and passenger and then went back to retrieve their dog from the vehicle," NT Emergency Service's Katherine volunteer unit said in a social media post. Police in the territory praised the rescuers for saving the men and the dog -- reportedly a German Shepherd. "This was a life-threatening situation that goes to show just how quickly these flood waters can turn dangerous," said Northern Territory Police incident controller Emma Carter.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 12, 2026 05:34 UTC